Is Software in the OS Important

Officially the website is up and running a week now. The good part is that the basics are done and now there is just the details to fill in. Thankfully things on the internet tend to hang around so you can likely find us anytime you want. The question for the day is what to add to the tips blog.


How about the answer to a simple question that has no simple answer. That is: Do I want to move to Windows 7?

The simple answer is a resounding YES!!!

In the three years since Vista hit the market and lots of people snubbed it (thier mistake) for what ever reason - things have changed dramatically. Unless you want to stay in a ten year old world where the new technology and hardware options are not even on the radar. When XP was written there was so much stuff that we could not imagine that are available today. I am not even going to waste time with why you may still be with XP and not in Vista. While what is under the hood is great it is what you see on the screen, how fast it gets there, how safe you are and how much fun you have that are important.

Media

When we first saw Media Center as part of the Windows operating system it was hard to imagine a day when it would become something to embrace. Today we can stream virtually any video content anywhere we want it. Our complaint with Media Center was that it was slow and cumbersome. Today I can set in front of my 42 inch plasma, infared remote in hand wisking through menus to find the photo, song or video I want to play. Stream from Netflix or Hulu with the click of a remote.

In todays world the media is there but can you get it. The answer is yes, but at a price. Processing video to display on a monitor, HDTV, Projection System, or even to a cell phone requires some power. Memory and graphics processors come to mind. New hardware is using new technology such as DDR2/3/4/5/6 memory, GPU's with one gigahertz speeds, Multicore processors are the normal now, and we have yet to address 64 bit technology.

None of the hardware features listed above are addressed by Windows XP. They just begin to be touched on with Vista. Windows 7 embraces each and everyone of them and more that are yet to come. With hardware costs spiralling downward software becomes more and more important. When someone comes to me and wants to build an new computer for them. Requesting all the latest in hardware technology along with the sleekest case and displays only to add: "But I don't want Windows Vista (Windows 7).

WOW

To be honest I am no Microsoft fan. I did not even use Windows until Millenium Editon. It was DOS all the way. I came to realize that progress meant change and the old stuff was going away with the old hardware technology. So I could stay a dinosaur or move with the times.

So the question is really this. Why buy eight gig of memory when only three of it will be used by software. Why purchase a 3.0 SATA drive when the software was written to support IDE and only later updated to SATA 1.0. So you want a BluRay reader or maybe even a burner. Was blue ray even on the radar when Windows XP was the rage.

You need that one gig DDR4 memory graphics card with a 750 mghz gpu to run that new game. You are a smart person so you buy it. Then run home plug it in only to learn that the frame rate you expected is not there. Only to find out that your new technology is hamstrung by a decade old 32 bit operating system.

Features

Saftey, security and stability. The old Microsoft left those parts to third party software and for the user to be smart enough to keep things safe. After a few rough falls Microsoft finally realized it could not rely on third party software to keep IT'S operating system secure. The customer does not want to be boggled down keeping up with and endlessly changing field of rules.

Windows 7 backs itself up - in background. The only time you notice is when you need it. Not only does it back up files, but it backs up a complete system image. Adding spam filtering, pop up blocking, script blocking and many under the hood tweeks. The Windows 7 system is the safest yet. The biggest (in shear numbers) operating system in the world will surely come under attack by those who engage in such things. With modern update proceedures and software operations that do take some getting used to the only unsafe way to get infected is for you to open the door and invite them in.

No longer relying on hardware manufacturers to write drivers, Microsoft Update now updates and posts its own drivers to correct problems up front. To help with this the user can elect to send crash data to Microsoft what allows for faster recognition of software/driver issues and subsequent correction.

Out of the box, add a good antivirus program, Windows 7 is the safest and most secure ever. No trial periods for the end user to forget about and leave the system secure.

Snip it. Now that one little tool is the coolest yet. In this media age we see pictures, texts and other stuff on our screen that is not just a simple picture we can cut and paste. Snip it will let you capture anything - yes I said anything - that you can see on your computer screen. No matter what it takes to make that screen snipit will copy the selected area and save it to any file format you select or to the clipboard to paste where you might choose. No more print screen or screen caps that you have to work around to get to work. Snipit is easy. Simply open the program, draw the box and save. Done

Out of the box Windows 7 plays more media without extra software. Windows 7 will play a retail DVD without installing third party players. Or purchasing a driver pack. If you are one who uses Windows Media Center Classic to play certain files - not now. Windows 7 can do it.

Sum it up!

Give that new computer dream of yours a chance. Go find you a reliable technician who will build your computer from the gound up. If he or she says avoid Windows 7 then I suggest you move on. If you put a high tech fuel injected V-8 engine in a Model T -- It is still a Modle T.

Still have an issue with Windows 7. Hey drop me line with the problem you have or the question and I will answer it. In the end let me help you match the software with the hardware and make your computing experience the best it can be.

That is what it is all about here at Computer Associates of Abilene.